Best time to hit this would be mid day to get the best lighting for photos. It is 1k of elevation per mile basically so it's not exactly easy but the trail quality is good for the most part. Trail was busy on our way down at about 1130AM so it's up to you if you can handle the crowds. We chose to hit the trail early to have the spot to ourselves.

Amazing, challenging hike with breathtaking views of the valley from Cloud's Rest. The climb at the beginning is a bit of a gut buster and I had a little trouble following the trail when I got to one of the boulder fields on the way up, but not on the way down. The reason to do this hike, though, is for the final half mile or so up the narrow spine of rock to Cloud's Rest, with a 2,000+ foot drop on either side of a trail just a few feet wide. Once at the peak, it is pretty incredible to look down upon Half Dome and Yosemite Valley.

Awesome trail!!! If you plan well, go during a full moon. The light of the moon reflects off the granite mountains and lights up the entire area. For the most part the trail is well distinguished however there are two spots where the trial is on granite rocks with no trial marks. Walked trail late September and there was minimal water running in streams so bring plenty of you plan on hiking at that time. But plenty of water at end of hike at the lakes.

Just did this trail today, Dec 27th.Park sign says closed mid way up yet we made it to Glacier Point - other fresh footprints before us. 10 miles total roundtrip... bring food, water, layers and crampons. we didn't need them but could easily see how we would've had conditions changed just a tad.

This trail during late December is a bit snowy and slippery near the top. The view is beautiful at about the halfway point and in my opinion there is no need to do the whole thing thing if you don’t feel like it since the view is practically the same. If you go during snow bring good footwear and at least a hiking stick to avoid slipping. I would do this again in spring.

Great hike with views pretty much the whole way up. Not a hard hike as long as you pace yourself. Did this hike once when Glacier point road was open and once when it was closed. If the road is closed due to snow I would bring hiking sticks or spikes as the trail can get pretty icy. The last time I did it at the end of November the last mile was pretty much a sheet of ice on the way up.

Just beautiful. Not many people in the winter months, at least, so a peaceful walk alongside the river. Stunning rock scapes and a scenic bridge over the river at the half way point. The mirror image was worth everything!

We made this hike on June 2017. We are begginers and we kind of almost died. It was the most difficult hike we've done in our lives. Not kidding! It is a very hard trail, a solid climb with switchbacks all the way up until about 1/2 a mile from Glacier Point, where it gets flatter...at least in summer. We ate like 4 energy bars, 2 peanut butter & jam sandwiches and drank about 1L of water each. BUT THE VIEWS. OMG. Wow. Wouldn't trade them for nothing. Going up is the best option because the valley and surrounding mountains are revealed bit by bit when you start going over the forest. I love how each switchback reveals a bit more of the view. Going down might be quite anticlimactic. We made it up in around 5 hours with lots of breaks, resting, stopping to just appreciate the view and of course taking tons of pictures. I was impressed with the amount of people going up as fast as they could without taking a moment to see the beauty around them. Anyway, got gorgeous pictures and great funny memories :)Take a lot of water and food.

To keep in mind: There's a hotel bus that goes up to Glacier point and back down to the valley hotel several times a day in summer. You have to pay, but keep it in mind in case of emergency or if you have limited time. The only way up is reserving a spot with the hotel but going down is first come first served until the spots of ppl that only paid one-way are filled.

We did the four mile trail however had to turn around because the snow became pretty deep. We hiked 3 miles in until you don’t see the trail anymore. Hike is tough especially through the snow be sure to bring the right gear. We still had amazing views of el captain and half dome. Just keep in mind it’s dangerous hike with all that powder so be careful

Some of the most stunning views I’ve ever seen while hiking. Constant amazement at the unreal beauty of the surrounding waterfalls, cliffs, rivers. A magical experience. Highly recommend hiking past glacier point to sentinel dome. Was lucky enough to be the only person atop sentinel dome in late November (Glacier Point driving road closed.)

Switchbacks all the way up and all the way down. Gorgeous views at the top, which were made even better by the recent snowfall. Bring water and real shoes — I saw too many people in tennis shoes struggling on the ice and snow.

This is a solid climb with beautiful vistas along the way. At some points it feels like just trudging uphill. I definitely recommend doing it when Glacier Point road is closed, the viewing spots at the top were relatively uncrowded as it was just those of us who had hiked up. I hiked back down the 4 mile trail but would have preferred to go down the panaroma trail for a less steep incline. Happy to report my knees are just a little sore today and Im feeling good after the climb! Take plenty of water and snacks.